Jzip
Version tested: 1.0.0.36791
Description: Jzip is a free compression utility based on 7-Zip. It features the same reliability, high compression ratios, and speed that 7Zip provides with an enhanced user interface.
Jzip is based on the open source 7-Zip, which delivers the 2 most important features you would want out of a compression program (a) very high compression ratios, meaning that your compressed files created with this program will be as small or smaller in size than many comparable compression programs out there, and (b) excellent compression speed. (For comparisons of a number of archive programs see this great comparative review of zip utilities on Donationcoder).
The most consistent criticism of 7zip has always been its rudimentary interface, and Jzip offers the kind of user friendly interface for managing files/archives that 7-Zip’s interface lacks (and that is offered by many archive utilities); such as:
- Display folder trees on the left-pane, explorer-style.
- Create folders/subfolders and drag files into these from within the Jzip interface.
- Switch between icon, thumbnail, list and detail view, explorer style.
- File sorting. Also supports sorting by clicking on column headers in detail view.
- Wildcard select (e.g. select all .jpg files within an archive)
- The ability to view compressed files without having to extract them from the archive first.
Where jZip and 7Zip do not differ:
- Both will compress and extract archives in 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR formats and will extract RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS formats.
- Both will extract multiple archives into their respective folders through the context menu.
- Drag and drop files to/from the interface available in both
- Right click context menu looks exactly the same. Altogether not a bad thing since it is very simple and functional, although I would have liked the ability to customize it.
- That wonderful simplicity. Part of the reason why 7Zip is so popular, apart from its performance, is its economical simplicity. I am glad to report that Jzip retains that feeling even when it enhances the user experience.
Wish list (or how this program can be even better):
For a program whose entire reason for being is to deliver a better interface, it makes sense for Jzip to offer the following:
- Skins
- The ability to customize the context menu.
- Provide zip icon alternatives. The one Jzip provides actually looks really cool, although I’m not too sure about its yellow-ochre color. Would have preferred more orange/red color myself (note: if you would like to change your deault zip icons or the icons for any file type, you can use Icon Phile).
- That wonderful simplicity. Part of the reason why 7Zip is so popular, apart from its performance, is its economical simplicity. I am glad to report that Jzip retains that feeling even when it enhances the user experience.
The verdict: You can say that this program is just 7Zip with a better interface, and that would be good enough for me. Fantastic!
Compatibility: WinAll; Mac and Linux versions coming soon.
Go to the program page to get the latest version (approx 2.22 megs).
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[…] dos cosas por la que se diferencia notablemente de 7-Zip: una es que comprime mucho más los archivos y otra es que es extremadamente […]
Thanks, maybe people will not use a cracked version of winrar anymore.
Customizing context menu is possible in 7-zip… and I got used to the interface.
Icon Phile links don’t work but the program is available on Softpedia.
Well, the feature I like most in 7Zip is the dual pane view. If I want to extract to somewhere else than the Desktop in jZip I have to open a separate folder through explorer, and THEN drag it over….
I think I’ll stick with just 7zip since the context menu works great for me as is. I suppose that if you are used to WinZip that this might be useful though.
I highly recommend TUGZip, also! It works well, looks pretty nice, and is of course free.
[…] Review completa del programa: Freewaregenius […]
I personally like using IZarc (it looks A LOT like the interface for jZip), which can open a around 23 different file archive types. But, if Samer says it’s good, then it must be good.
Great post!
Rob
Whoops, I meant IZArc supports 47 file archive types.
[…] JZip: my current compression/zip utility of choice. Based on the 7 Zip open source archiver, JZip Can […]
i for one would use tugzip or zipeg as an archiver
they software is very beautiful
jzip crashes when trying to create an archive based on a directory and all subdirectories.
use something else.
djsparks@washington.edu
skins are pointless, please do not start that…
this is a file archiver, not winamp media player.
[…] […]
jzip home site now shows “freeware genius pick” reward… Which is misleading - it got 5 stars, but not pick as I see.
@Rarst,
I actually made the “pick” logo when these guys asked me for a freewaregenius logo to link to from their site. So in fact I gave them permission but then forgot to update my page with the “Freeware Pick” designation. I just fixed this, though … thanks for calling attention to it.